Officer, Communications – Agency

JOB TITLE: Officer, Communications

REPORTING TO: Manager, Advocacy, Accountability & Partnerships

LOCATION: Abuja, Nigeria

ASSIGNMENT LENGTH: Yearly, renewable by mutual consent

OVERVIEW:

Family Planning 2030 (FP2030) is a global partnership of governments, civil society, multilateral organizations, donors, private sector, and researchers committed to supporting the rights of women and girls who wish to use contraception to achieve a vision where women and girls everywhere have the freedom and ability to lead healthy lives, make their own informed decisions about using contraception and having children, and participate as equals in society and its development.

In pursuit of this vision, the global family planning community reached a consensus that the gains attained since 2012 needs to be consolidated and sustained by extending partnerships and consultations with family planning stakeholders from around the world. Together, the community created a shared vision for 2030 that builds on progress achieved to date, adapts the partnership in response to the lessons of the last nine years and positions us to achieve the future women and girls around the world are asking for.

Towards this end, the FP2030 Support Network was created as a key element of FP 2030?s new structure, which will be put in place in 2022. The FP2030 Support Network, which will be led by an Executive Director includes include five regional hubs: North, West and Central Africa; East and Southern Africa; Asia and the Pacific; and Latin America and the Caribbean, and North America and Europe each of which will be headed by a Managing Director supported by a small team. The Population Council (The Council) will host the North, West and Central Africa regional hub in its Country Office in Abuja, Nigeria.

Population Council is an international, non-profit, non-governmental institution that seeks to improve the reproductive health and well-being of populations around the world and to achieve a humane, equitable and sustainable balance between people and resources. Working in in partnership with government and community-based organizations in Nigeria since the 1960s, the Council established a country office in Nigeria in 2006 to facilitate an expansion of its research portfolio to address HIV and AIDS among key and vulnerable populations, maternal mortality and morbidity, adolescent sexual and reproductive health, as well as generate evidence for improving access to family planning and reproductive health services, and child marriage.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Council seeks an experienced professional to fill the position of Officer, Communications of the FP2030 North, West and Central Africa Hub based in Abuja, Nigeria. The Officer, Communications reports to the Manager, Advocacy, Accountability & Partnerships. This position serves as the lead for all the Hub?s communications functions.

Working Relationships

Reporting to the Manager, Advocacy, Accountability & Partnerships will work closely with the rest of the Hub team. They will also collaborate closely with FP2030?s Director, Communications located in the North America & Europe (NAE) Hub, the Global Communications team, the Hub Advocacy, Accountability & Partnership Manager, and with Communications teams at all Hubs.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Execute communications projects for the Hub, including managing the production of all Hub communications materials, in line with FP2030 design guidance.
• Ensure consistent language, tone, and branding for all externally facing products and platforms, consulting with the Global Communications team to ensure consistency of messaging and positioning across FP2030.
• Support the Hub?s presence at regional convenings and events, including logistical work, collateral design, and staffing.
• Support and contribute to the production of FP2030?s annual progress report, collaborating closely with the NAE Hub?s Communications team.
• Manage communications consultants on an as-needed basis, which may include external editorial, design or media support.
• Support external partner networks to facilitate their strategic engagement with FP2030?s and the Hub?s platforms, channels, and messaging.
• Develop content for communications materials such as web stories, op-eds, press releases, fact sheets, talking points, and event briefings as needed, working closely with the NAE Hub?s Communications team as appropriate.
• Work with new and existing FP2030 commitment-makers in the region to promote new commitments and amplify success stories from existing commitments, working closely with the Global Communications team needed or appropriate.
• Work with the Hub team to support the team?s communications priorities and to amplify success stories from the region.
• Support the translation of FP2030 products as needed, working closely with the Global Communications team
• and with the Officers, Country Engagement, making use of external translation support as appropriate.
• Perform other relevant tasks that may be assigned by the line manager.

Programmatic Oversight

• Collaborate with consultants and other staff as needed to advance communications work across the region.
• Provide regular updates on the progress of communications work in the region, including to the global FP2030 Communications network and FP2030 Senior Leadership; draft content for reports to funders, Senior Leadership, and key external stakeholders as needed.

Selection Criteria

EDUCATION & QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor?s degree or equivalent standard of education required, preferably in communications, digital media, journalism, international relations, global health, or other directly related field.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• At least 5-7 years of professional experience in communications or public relations.
• An interest in and passion for global health, family planning, reproductive health, international development, or women?s rights issues strongly desired.
• Demonstrable track record of successful communication projects executed in previous roles.
• Experienced in communications and managing processes to successfully adhere to product schedule and quality standards.
• Excellent writing, editing, interpersonal, and oral communications skills.
• Knowledge of national and regional media environment and familiarity with journalist networks preferred.
• Experienced in social media strategy development and implementation.
• French language proficiency required.
• Knowledge of design programs preferred.
• Strong critical thinking, decision-making, and project management skills.
• Team player with adaptable and pragmatic approach to work, able to work independently as well as with a team.
• Strong time management and prioritization skills and the ability to meet deadlines and deliver objectives on time despite time constraints and pressure situations.
• Ability to think strategically and help drive projects from inception to implementation.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and cultural competencies.
• Written and spoken fluency in English.
• Willingness to travel (up to 20%).

PERSONAL COMPETENCE:

• Politically astute with a good understanding of the bigger picture, culturally sensitive and diplomatic.
• Enthusiastic and motivated about FP2030?s vision, mission and values.

The above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for performance of the position responsibilities. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of essential functions, responsibilities or requirements nor meant to exclude other duties as assigned.

Applications are particularly encouraged from women, persons living with disability, and candidates openly living with HIV. FP2030 values equity-centred leadership and commits to furthering its racial and social justice values and commitments by integrating them into the organizational culture and weaving them into its global partnership work.

Application Deadline: April 29th, 2022

Qualified candidates should send their resume and cover letter to: [email protected]. Please include the position you are applying for in the subject line.

The Population Council is an international, nonprofit, nongovernmental institution that seeks to improve the well-being and reproductive health of current and future generations around the world and to help achieve a humane, equitable, and sustainable balance between people and resources. The Council conducts biomedical, social science, and public health research and helps build research capacities in developing countries. Established in 1952, the Council is governed by an international board of trustees. Its New York headquarters supports a global network of country offices. We are seeking an individual to fill the position described. If you know of a qualified candidate or are interested in this position, please apply at: http://www.popcouncil.org/employment/index.asp.

The Population Council provides equal opportunity; it does not discriminate against any person with regard to age, color, creed, national origin, disability, political belief, veteran status, religion, marital status, gender, gender identity, or sexual orientation. Decisions on employment are based on an individual?s qualifications as related to the position for which they are being considered. The Council especially encourages applications from members of underrepresented groups including but not limited to Black people and people of African descent, Indigenous people, people of color, women, LGBTQ+ individuals, including people who identify as transgender, non-binary, or gender expansive, people with disabilities, first-generation college graduates, and those from communities with the most to gain from expanded access to sexual and reproductive health services and information. The Population Council is international in the composition of its board of trustees and its staff, as well as in the nature and deployment of its activities.